Apparatus for firefighting and the like



Dec. 23, 1969 J. w. THORPE APPARATUS FOR FIREFIGHTING AND THE LIKE FiledMarch 15, 1968 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTORNEY Dec. 23, 1969 J- W. THORPEAPPARATUS FOR FIREFIGHTING AND THE LIKE Filed March 15, 1968 2Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,485,302 APPARATUS FORlF'lREFIGI-ITING AND THE LIKE Joseph W. Thorpe, 2124 E. Riverside Drive,Venice Park,

Atlantic City, NJ. 08401 Filed Mar. 15, 1968, Ser. No. 713,520 Int. Cl.A62c 31/00; 1305b 17/02; B67d /06 US. Cl. 1692 9 Claims ABSTRACT OF THEDISCLOSURE The instant disclosure relates to a vessel for containingfiuid and adapted to be suspended from an air vehicle, the vessel havingopenings and valve means permitting of convenient filling and dischargeof the vessel.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION As is well known to those versed in thefirefighting arts, it has been proposed in the past to carry afluid-containing vessel suspended from an air vehicle, such as ahelicopter or the like, for discharge of fluid from the vessel onto afire. However, prior devices of this type have not found generalacceptance for many reasons. For example, such prior devices have beenrelatively complex in construction and expensive to manufacture, lackingin reliability and often requiring highly experienced operatingpersonnel.

1 While the device of the present invention'has been primarily developedfor use in fighting fires, such as f rest fires and the like, and willbe illustrated and described herein with particular reference thereto,it is appreciated that the instant device is capable of many variedapplications, such as spraying crops and other operations wherein aliquid, gas or particulate solid material may be aerially dispensed, allof which are intended to be comprehended herein.

SUMMARY Accordingly, it is an important object of the present inventionto provide apparatus for fighting fires and like operations whichovercomes the above-mentioned dif ficulties, is extremely simple instructure, entirely reliable throughout a long useful life, and whichcan be economically manufactured for sale at a reasonable price.

It is another object of the present invention to provide apparatushaving the advantageous characteristics mentioned in the procedingparagraph wherein a flowable material may be optionally dispensed in afine or heavy discharge from an aerial carrier over a selected area in asimple, safe and expeditious manner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING- FIGURE 1 is an elevational viewshowing apparatus of the present invention in performance of a fillingoperation.

FIGURE 2 is an elevational view showing apparatus of the presentinvention in a discharging operation.

FIGURE 3 is atop view of applicants fluid-holding vessel, partly brokenaway for clarity of understanding.

FIGURE 4 is a longitudinal sectional elevational view taken generallyalong the line 44 of FIGURE 3, and showing the vessel in afine-discharging condition.

FIGURE 5 is a partial longitudinal sectional elevational view similar toFIGURE 4, but illustrating a heavy-discharging condition of operation.

FIGURE 6 is an end view taken from the left-hand end of FIGURE 5,showing the heavy-discharge condition.

FIGURE 7 is a transverse sectional view taken generally along the line7--7 of FIGURE 3, but showing a closed-gate condition.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now more particularlyto the drawing, and specifically to FIGURES 1 and 2 thereof, an airvehicle is there generally designated 10,, such as a conventionalhelicopter. A vessel for containing fiowable material is generallydesignated 11, and illustrated beneath the heli copter 10, beingsuspended from the latter by cables 12, or other suitable means. Thelength of. cables 12 may advantageously be adjustable remote from thevessel 11, say by winch means interiorly of the helicopter 10 (notshown) different distances of the vessel beneath the helicopter beingdesirable for different operations and under different conditions.

In the condition shown in FIGURE 1, the vessel 11 is submerged in a pond13, or other suitable body of water, to fill the vessel with liquid. Bysuitable valve means, the vessel 11 is selectively opened to receiveliquid, closed to retain the liquid, and subsequently opened todischarge the liquid. Such a discharging operation is shown in FIGURE 2,liquid being dispensed from the vessel 11 in a relatively finedischarge, as Over a forest fire 15. Of course, the lengths of cables 12are selected, as by the hereinbefore described winch means in helicopter10 to locate the vessel a desired distance over the fire, whilemaintaining the vehicle 10 safely spaced above the fire, and such thatthe downdraft produced by a helicopter will not adversely affect thefirefighting operation.

Referring now to FIGURES 3 and 4, the vessel 11 is there shown ingreater detail, as being defined by an elongate tank, which may be ofgenerally rectangular configuration, including a generally rectangularbottom wall 16 which may have formed therethrough a multitude ofdischarge apertures or openings 17.

Upstanding from opposite longitudinal side edge margins of the bottomwall 16 are a pair of generally parallel, facing spaced side walls 18.At one end of the bottom wall 17, upstanding therefrom and extendinglaterally between the adjacent ends of the side walls 18, is an end wall19. The side walls 18 and end wall 19 may be impervious to liquid orfiowable material, as illus trated. Remote from the end wall 19,extending laterally between the side walls 18, being generallyvertically disposed and spaced over the bottom wall 16 is an end wall20. Thus, the end walls 19 and 20 are in generally parallel spacedfacing relation, the latter end wall being spaced over the bottom wall16, the space therebetween defining a relatively large discharge opening21, as will appear more fully hereinafter. f

While any suitable materials may be employed in constructing the instantvessel 11, it is believed thatmetal, such as aluminum, having weldedjoints, will serve advantageously by reason of its strength andcorrosion re sisance. Of course, wood, plastic or other material may beemployed, if desired.

Interiorly within the vessel 11, spaced over the bottom wall 16, is aninner floor or platform 23. The inner floor or platform 23 may be ofgenerally rectangular configuration, having one end region 24 resting onthe bottom wall 16 in a lower region ofthe opening 21. From the adjacentend of bottom wall 16, the inner floor or platform 23 mayextendlongitudinally along the bottom wall, obliquely upward in spacerelation over the latter, terminating at an end edge 25 spaced short ofthe vessel end Wall 19. The inner floor or platform 23 extends laterallybetween the side walls 18 ancl may be secured in sealed relation theretoalongits side edges by any suitable means. In this manner, the innerfloor or platform 23 subdivides the interior of the. vessel 11 into anupper space 26 over the platform, and a lower space 27 beneath theplaform. The end edge'2'5 of plat} form 23, by its termination short ofthe vessel end wall 19, combines with the latter to define in the spacetherebetween a transfer passageway 28, as for passing fluid between theupper space 22 and lower space 27 as will appear more fully hereinafter.

Just inward of the end wall 20 is disposed a valve element, gate orplate member 30, slidable between a generally vertical lower position(as seen in FIGURE 4) and a generally vertical upper position (as seenin FIGURE 5). That is, the gate 30 is disposed in a generally verticalplane for shifting movement between its upper position in facingrelation with the interior surface of the end wall 20, wherein the space21 is open, and a vertically disposed lower position extending acrossand closing the opening 21. For simplicity, the valve gate 30 may slideon the inner face of end wall 20, being constrained to movement in avertical plane by suitable guides or way means 31 fixed on the innersurfaces of side walls 18, spaced inward from the end wall 20, andadditional guides or Way means 32 fixed on the inner surfaces of theside walls bounding the opening 21. Thus, the gate 30, its guide means31 and 32, and end wall 20 combine with the end wall opening 21 todefine a valve for communication therethrough between the interior andexterior of the vessel 11.

Interiorly of the vessel 11, adjacent to and spaced inward from the endwall 19, there is fixed a partition or inner wall 34 adjacent and spacedover the end 25 of platform 23. More particularly, the partition orinner wall 34 is disposed in a generally vertical plane, parallel to andspaced from the adjacent end wall 39, extending laterally between andfixedly secured to upper regions of the side walls 18. The partition orinner wall 34 is suitable secured in sealed relation to the side walls,being spaced over the bottom wall 16 and above the plaftorm 23. On theinner side of the partition 34 is vertically disposed a valve member,gate or plate 35. The valve member or gate 35 is vertically shiftable,in a vertical plane between its upper position of FIGURE 4 and a lowerposition of FIGURE 7. In its lower position, the valve member or gate 35may have its lower edge seated in substantially sealing relation on. theupper surface of platform 23, proximate to the platform end 25, andextends laterally between the side walls 18 and vertically upward beyondthe lower edge of partition 34. Thus, the gate 35 in its lower positionof FIGURE 7 efiectively closes the space between partition 34 and bottomwall 23. Suitable guide members or way means may be fixed to the innersurfaces of side walls 18, such as guide members 36, just inward of theplate 35. Additional guide members or way means 37 may be fixed torespective side walls 18, depending beneath and substantially coplanarwith the partition 34, so that the guide members 36 and 37 combine withthe partition to effectively constrain the valve member or gate 35 tovertical coplanar movement between its upper and lower positions.

If desired, a top wall 40 may extend across the upper side of vessel 11,in closing relation with respect thereto. In particular, the top wall 40may extend laterally between the upper edges of side walls 18, andlongitudinally between the upper edges of end walls 19 and 20, beingsuitably fixed thereto in sealed relation therewith. Further, thepartition or inner Wall 34 may have its upper region fixedly secured insealed relation to the underside of the top wall 40.

Advantageously, the top wall 40 my be provided with .a vent valve 41,which may also serve as the fill hole. The

vent-fill hole 41 may be any suitable valve, and may be adapted forremote operation, say from a suspending vehicle, if desired.

The top wall 40 is further provided with a thru opening 42, whichslidably receives a control cable 43 passing through the hole and havingits lower end connected, as at 44 to the valve gate 30. The cable 43 mayextend upwardly as for connection in the helicopter to a controlmechanism, such as a winch, or the like. The top wall 40 is similarlyformed with a thru opening 39 over the valve gate 35 and slidably passesa cable 45 in sealed relation through the opening for connection at itslower end 46 to the gate 35. The cable 45 may also extend upwardly forconnection to an actuating mechanism in the helicopter 10. In thismanner, the gate valves 30 and 35 are both remotely operable from thesuspending vehicle 10.

In order to reinforce the vessel 11 when suspended from the vehicle 10,a pair of cables 48 and 49 may extend about respective end regions ofthe vessel, and each be connected to a respective suspension cable 12.The reinforcing-carrying cables 48 and 49 may be retained in positionabout the vessel 11, as by passage through eyes 50 and 51 fixed to thevessel exteriorly thereof. Also exteriorly of the vessel may be secureda pair of elongate support members, as at 52 and 53. The support members52 and 53 are secured to the underside of the bottom wall 16, extendingalong respective ends of the bottom wall and depend therefrom forengagement with a ground surface to maintain the bottom wall spaced overthe ground surface. This effectively prevents interference with thebottom wall apertures 17.

The operation is believed apparent from the foregoing description, sothat a brief summary will suffice. In the condition of FIGURE 1, thevessel 11 is suspended from the carrying air vehicle 10 and submerged ina body of liquid 13. The cable 43 is taken up to raise the valve gate 30and open the opening 21 for entry therethrough of liquid into theinterior of the vessel. During this filling procedure, the valve gate 35is lowered to closed position by letting out on the cable 45, so thatliquid is retained in the space 26 over the inner floor 23. Uponlowering or closing of the valve gate 30, the filled vessel 11 may betransported to the desired location of use, and the contents theredischarged.

One manner of discharge is illustrated in FIGURES 2 and 4, the valvegate 35 being drawn upward to an open position, for gravitationalmovement of the fluid contents through the passageway 28 into the spacebeneath platform 23 for discharge through the bottom wall aperture 17.This effects a relatively fine discharge in the manner of a spray orshower. Alternatively, or simultaneously, the valve gate 30 may beelevated to an open position for discharge through the end wall 20 ofthe vessel contents, as indicated in FIGURE 5. This is a relativelyheavy or high-volume discharge, if required.

Of course, the vessel 11 may be filled otherwise than by submergence asin FIGURE 1, say by a conduit comlrnunicating through the vent-fill hole41. If desired, the vessel 11 may be filled through the hole 41 at apressure greater than atmospheric, for pressurized discharge of thecontents. This may be advantageous in certain operations, such as cropspraying, the discharge of firefighting chemicals, or other. The use ofthe vent-fill hole for filling also frees the vessel 11 from thecarrying vehicle 10 during the filling procedure, so that a singlevehicle may be employed in conjunction with more than one vessel,carrying the vessels sequentially while those not being carried arefilled.

From the foregoing, it is seen that the present invention providesapparatus for aerial firefighting, and for other uses which fullyaccomplishes its intended objects and is well adapted to meet practicalconditions of manufacture and operation.

Although the present invention has been described in some detail by wayof illustration and example, for purposes of clarity of understanding,it is understood that certain changes and modifications may be madewithin the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for firefighting and the like adapted to be suspended froman air vehicle, said apparatus comprising a vessel for containing fluidand having a bottom wall and a peripheral side wall upstanding from saidbottom Wall, said bottom Wall having discharge openings for dispensingfluid, a platform interiorly of said vessel and spaced over said bottomwall, said platform having a transfer opening adjacent to one region ofsaid side wall for passing fluid between the spaces above and below saidplatform, valve means on said platform adjacent to said transfer openingand closable to prevent the passage of fluid between said spaces, andoperating means connected to said valve means for opening the latter andextending exteriorly of said vessel for remote operation from asuspending vehicle.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, said valve means comprising apartition extending across said vessel and having a thru opening, and agate shiftable along said partition between closed and open positionswith respect to said partition.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1, in combination with additional valvemeans mounted in another region of said side wall above said platform,said additional valve means being selectively openable to dischargefluid directly from the vessel space above said platform, and additionaloperating means connected to said additional valve means for operatingthe latter and extending exteriorly of said vessel for remote operationfrom a suspending vehicle.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1, said vessel comprising an elongatetank, said platform extending from one end of said tank between oppositesides thereof toward and terminating short of the other tank end todefine said transfer opening between the termination of said platformand said other tank end.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4, said valve means being located at theterminus of said platform and comprising a partition extending laterallyacross said vessel, said partition having an opening in its lowerregion, and

a gate shiftable vertically along said partition between closed and openpositions with respect to said partition.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5, in combination with additional valvemeans mounted in said one tank end above said platform, said additionalvalve means being selectively openable to discharge fluid directly fromthe vessel space above said platform, and additional operating meansconnected to said additional valve means for operating the latter andextending exteriorly of said vessel for remote operation from asuspending vehicle.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6, said additional valve meanscomprising an additional gate shiftable vertically along said one tankend, said one tank end having an opening therethrough adapted to beselectively closed by said additional gate.

8. Apparatus according to claim 1, in combination with cable meansextending about said vessel adjacent to opposite ends thereof, forreinforcing said vessel and connectable to suspension means of an airvehicle.

9. Apparatus according to claim 1, in combination with a top wall onsaid vessel, for effecting complete closure of the vessel when saidvalve means is closed.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,779,421 1/1957 Rust 16913,220,482 11/1965 Eveleth 1691 3,273,651 9/1966 Andrews 1691 SAMUEL F.COLEMAN, Primary Examiner H. 5. LANE, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R.

